I've got an anwser from Pentax facebook about my idea to produce APS-C WR compact camera with zoom or fixed lens based on GR's body.We will be happy to pass your comments on as a new product suggestion. Thanks

It really doesn't matter what the focal length is, it is still only one focal length. In addition "zooming with the feet" either closer or farther away, changes the perspective. I would rather change lenses or zoom in or out to get the shot I want, not what some lens forces me to get.

NaCl(if I want small I'd get a Q)H2O

I hear what you're saying, but I think this is an unfortunate, somehow un-artistic way to look at it.

The lens isn't forcing you to do anything but see the shot that's there, and perhaps move and get a better angle at it. Shooting with a single prime has always encouraged me to be creative and has somehow brought out my best efforts, and best results.

There are times when a zoom is essential, but in my experience those times are when you need to document something and have distance and position restraints - like shooting a wedding, birthday party, something where most of the time you're just trying to capture subjects quickly.

And perspective change, in my experience, can be folded into the shot without losing anything essential about 90% of the time. The perspective is usually arbitrary.

I've got an anwser from Pentax facebook about my idea to produce APS-C WR compact camera with zoom or fixed lens based on GR's body.We will be happy to pass your comments on as a new product suggestion. Thanks

These debates are reaching past comical into "sad" category. This camera line is what it is and does what it does VERY WELL, appealing to a distinct market that has bought and will continue to buy it for it's strengths. If those are not strengths to you, then simply buy a camera that is rather than wishing for a 4th wish on the lantern.

(And again, if you've never tried shooting with this cam, I can't stress enough, for obvious reason, you just don't know.)

(Me walks away now thinking "*this* is why I just *lurk*")

I don't see why you bash me for wishing Ricoh and Pentax go more mainstream with some models and not selling only to "connoisseurs" or specific niche categories. Pentax already did this mistake and what did it brought them ? Is like some guys here like this underdog status of Pentax/Ricoh

And now comes this beautiful small camera, with the large sensor and collapsible lens that will only attract to a specific category of people, not the average photographer who are looking maybe to replace their point and shot with something better or to replace the bulky DSLR with something smaller. Plus, times have changed, look please at the Nokia 808 Pureview with it's fantastic 41 mega pixel sensor and tell me if that isn't good enaugh for street photography.

How long do you think Nikon, Sony or Canon will take to release a similar small camera to the GR, with a large sensor but with a better zoom lens ? Who will buy this GR if the next Canon G1 X will be the same small size, the same IQ but with a zoom lens beginning at 28 mm and ending at 110mm ? I tell you who, only Ricoh fans probably. I don't want to see Pentax bankrupt in the next 3-4 years, I'm a fan like you but I'm upset when I see that they are missing this great category where they could sell really well and where they have great knowledge: miniaturization. Again I'm not saying this GR camera is bad, probably is excellent for street photography but I wish the same camera maybe with a zoom lens, an all rounder, that's it !

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How long do you think Nikon, Sony or Canon will take to release a similar small camera to the GR, with a large sensor but with a better zoom lens ? Who will buy this GR if the next Canon G1 X will be the same small size, the same IQ but with a zoom lens beginning at 28 mm and ending at 110mm ?

Ricoh's already done a zoom like that on an APSC compact - the GXR A16 zoom module. Go buy that if you want a large lens instead of a GR.

Physically impossible if you're talking about keeping the camera/lens the same size as this GR, so the answer to your question is 'never'.

The Sony RX100 is the GR's size and that zoom lens is only possible with a smaller 1" sensor.